AIDS and the Iraq Invasion

Difference & Desire in American Portraiture

The US government, in all it's democracy, doesn't exactly have the best track-record for free-speech. Although constitutionally protected, some things just happen to end up in illegal avenues. The US often criticizes other nations for their un-democratic actions, but it has itself in the past (e.g. in propaganda against the Soviet Union's version of Communism) committed a lot of offenses against human-rights... and still continues to do so today – notably with the Iraq war, and gay rights.

In recent news of the art world (NYT), an exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington to bring awareness to AIDS was silenced by Republicans and religious groups. The artist's freedom of expression and speech was not recognized, and more importantly - not honored. It seems to be unconstitutional, as although controversial, it contained no hate-speech of any sorts:

The artwork, a video by the artist David Wojnarowicz that included an image of ants crawling on a crucifix, was denounced by members of the religious right and several Republican congressmen. It has since become a rallying point for artists, gay activists and others who view its removal as censorship. The larger show, titled “Hide/Seek,” is about homosexual themes in American portraiture.

Censorship on criticizing the Iraq War.

It was no removed due to direct government intervention, but more as the result of criticism from certain government officials. It was in fact removed by the Smithsonian parent-institution itself. Another such example happened in L.A. California at the Museum of Contemporary Art, where street-art criticizing the evidence-less Iraq invasion by G.W. Bush was removed – an act of censorship in art. Interestingly, although the current administration (hopefully) disagrees with Bush's actions – it still happened. Perhaps there is something wrong with the current system of governing the nation?

The mural depicted coffins covered in dollar bills – a sentiment that likely rings true for anyone familiar with the protest, "No blood for oil." However, the museum shares a neighborhood with a Veterans Affairs hospital and a war memorial to Japanese American soldiers. What do you think...? Was this censorship in action, or sensitivity?

Read more: Hide/Seek: Too Shocking for America.

Big Deal: Egyptology & Metropolitan Museum of Art

Hatsheptsut Temple. Pronounced: Hat-Cheap-Suit

I would like to bring to your attention a very interesting article about "the Met's Work in Egypt", which is coincidentally the title of it. It's a very interesting look at ancient-Egypt and how it fits into the life of modern-Egypt, and comes from the director himself. It says:

In eighteen months on the job, I [Thomas P. Campbell, director of the Met] have traveled all over the globe, and it is incredible to understand the scope of the Met's international reach. In fact, I have just returned from a tour of the Met's archaeological work in Egypt, activity that extends back to the earliest days of the Museum.

Natural History (How I Met Your Mother)

Barney riding a lion, Robin opening a beer on it's teeth.

The recent How I Met Your Mother episode (Season 6, Episode 8) featured the Natural History Museum in NYC - one of my favorites! The crew went around touching various ancient art exhibits - something I always wanted to do. Ironically, this episode was filmed at the Natural History Museum in California, and not New York - but most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference (though I was a bit puzzled as I know the place pretty well).

Reclaiming Stolen Ancient Art from the West

Bust of ancient Egypt's queen Nefertiti in Berlin

Trying to reclaim the numerous artifacts of ancient Egypt that are scattered around the world, Egyptian authorities name the Louvre in France and the British Museum in the UK as two of the biggest culprits in robbing Egypt of it's ancient legacy.

Interestingly, the Met Museum in NYC has conformed to the Egyptian requests, and returned a few objects from Tut's tomb. While at the same time, Californian arts dealers have been caught smuggling ancient Mesopotamian items stolen from Iraq during the war. Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern art is the most sought-after in the world, due to it's delicate colors, patterns, and truly ancient history.

Stuff to see at the Met (museum)

While living in NYC, art is always at your fingertips. Whether it be ancient, classical or modern—you always have something to be inspired from. There's some new stuff in the Met (I mean the museum, not the operah, duh!), so for anyone who's interested, I suggest you check it out. Particularly, this piece which was acquired a few years ago, but is on show now:

2000 year old bearer or something (the unknown)

It originated in Mexico, and much like most ancient South American art (called pre-Columbian as the time before Columbus "discovered" the place) it is very elegant, and unlike the traditional stuff we're used to seeing in the West, originating from the Old World of ancient Greece, Rome, Near East, that kinda stuff. This piece is from Colima, a state in south-western Mexico, at the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and it's elaborate history is detailed in the The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin of Fall 2008:

In the centuries on either side of the first millennium, much three-dimensional ceramic sculpture was made in the western Mexican region that now corresponds to the modern states of Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco. The three states have given their names to the styles of three groups of ancient ceramics that have been identified within their borders. The Colima style, today the most popular of the three, is generally known for its contained volumes, simplified detail, and almost monochrome surfaces, which are most frequently a rich red-brown that at its best is brilliant in appearance. 

Substantial numbers of Colima ceramic sculptures like this one have been discovered in burials, where they were placed as funerary offerings. Some large, probably family tombs held dozens of them.The specific meaning of many of the depictions can only be conjectured. Warriors, for instance, are identified by the slings they carry and their pugnacious attitudes.This example may be a standard bearer. The raised right arm and empty fist that could well have supported a staff with a banner suggest that it might be. Standard bearers are more common in later Mexican sculpture, when they are frequently depicted in stone.

Looking for a throne to suit a tyrant? Sculpture has the answer.

Currently on exhibition in the British Museum in London, UK—the "Throne of Weapons" from the Mozambican artist Kester (Cristóvão Canhavato) is definitely an interesting piece. Not just in creativity, but also the back-story of the African country: fueled by civil war, countless killings, corruption and everything bad.

Also, it reminds me of that movie with Nicolas Cage.*

Kester's version of what the Lord of War should have been sitting on

Of course there's also the positive, that this sculpture/throne was made out of decommissioned weapons—with the hope that they won't be used again, and that such events never transpire again (and that it's probably good for the environment, does this count as recycling?) On the serious note, I think that if there's anything that history's taught us—it is that we don't learn from it. Terrible things like that are normal, just the world we live in—which is said too often, but in the wrong context: as it's also the world we must make better, improve. It is our responsibility to learn from history and to learn from others.

But on the brighter note, here's Kester pretending to be Mr. Cage:

Doesn't that reassure you that everything is just gonna be A-OK?

If you want more information about the work, and where it's been exhibited, check out this brochure from the British Museum.

*Lord of War (2005)

Art School & Food

First things first, where have I been? Well, I don't have quite as a fabulous excuse as Gwendolyn, whose art blog I follow—and recommend you do too—but I have been pretty busy! I've applied for art history studies at NYU, with an MA focus on sculpture and architecture. I've been working very hard on my application and portfolio (although not so relevant for a history course).

I know it doesn't look good neglecting a blog that I haven't even started properly, and my appologies for all those who've subscribed! But I've actually written up quite a few ideas and articles that I'll be releasing week by week—so look out!

A glorious feast in Rembrandt's kitchen?

I don't have anything complete to offer you, so in the meantime, feast your eyes on this (pun intended) art/recipe. The blog is an excellent idea, given all of the famous still life's of food out there, and hungry hungry people! Combining food and art—a fat man's entertainment! (Just kidding.) So if you'd like to take up some recipe ideas from Rembrandt and Van Gogh for some Dutch delicatesses (no, not sunflowers—although sunflower seeds may have a place), and Cézanne—pour la cuisine française—then there's really only one place you can go: www.feastingonart.com.

Grand opening: Panthea's blog

In the US, the average number of friends a person keeps in close contact with has decreased from about 4 to 1 in the past decade or so. So—what better time to open a start a blog for myself? Haha!

Getting ready for the show!

It's gonna be a spectacular event, there'll be a welcome drink, a orchestra, heads of state, rich folks!

Venue: All in my head!
Time: All night long, baby!
Dress code: Black tie.

Anyway guys, welcome to my blog. For those of you who don't know me, I work at a modern art gallery in New York City, but I'm more into classical art (don't tell my boss). Just kidding, she knows! Anyway, I thought I'd make a blog because I often feel like there's so much I want to share about my work (art), life and interesting things I come across with.